The North Shore Health Care Foundation (NSHCF) is teaming up with local real estate leaders in an innovative new partnership that invests in local health. The Listings That Give Back: Foundation Home Program is a pilot project developed by the Foundation in which local real estate professionals donate a percentage of the commissions received from the sale of selected Foundation Home properties to the non-profit. The NSHCF serves as a convener, incubator and catalyst, educator, partner, funder and advocate for access to equitable health in Cook County.  

“Selling real estate isn’t just about the properties, rather it’s about the relationships we create with those that work with us,” said Kim Wolff, Broker and Owner – Timberwolff Realty. “We are so thankful for those relationships and our ability to give back to the community. We are proud to step up in this way to invest in the health of our community and those we serve.” Timberwolff Realty issued the first donation of $2,500 to the program this spring. 

Real Estate Brokers Mike Larsen of Lutsen Real Estate Group, Kim Wolff of Timberwolff Realty, Virginia Palmer of Coldwell Banker North Shore and Mike Raymond of Red Pine Realty, have all committed to piloting the Foundation Home Program to help build capacity in the community with the North Shore Health Care Foundation – ultimately allowing for more dollars to be extended to health initiatives in Cook County. Under the Foundation Home Program each brokerage pledges to list a minimum of four properties per year, as Foundation Homes and will donate 1% of the commissions received from the sale of the select listing. 

“Whether you are buying or selling through the Foundation Home Program, you can feel good that a portion of the commission from your real estate transaction is being donated to the North Shore Health Care Foundation (NSHCF) and invested in community health,” said Mike Larsen, Lutsen Real Estate Group. 

“The Foundation is tremendously grateful to our local real estate leaders for their community stewardship and stepping up in this significant way,” said Valerie Marasco Eliasen, Executive Director. “A dollar donated to the Foundation has an incredible ripple effect in the community. Establishing the Listings That Give Back: Foundation Home program will have positive impacts for years to come and help us develop solutions to key community health issues.” 

The NSHCF proactively identifies opportunities to expand equitable health care and healthy living in Cook County and champions solutions through funding, education, and advocacy. The Foundation serves as an incubator of innovative and preventative-focused efforts, which address health care gaps and needs in rural Cook County. “Can’t be done” is not in the Foundation’s vernacular. Examples of North Shore Health Care Foundation incubation programs that began as ideas and are now established community assets include Care Partners of Cook County and the Oral Health Task Force, which have served a multitude of citizens. 

“This is an opportunity for us to come together and demonstrate leadership in our profession and the community to help support the local health care agencies, emergency services, and healthy living where we live work and play,” said Virginia Palmer, Coldwell Banker North Shore. “After all, these are the services that support and sustain our population from birth to aging well in this special place we all love.” 

The Foundation has given over $1.1 million in grants since 1995, and helps support: 

• North Shore Health Hospital & Care Center 
• Sawtooth Mountain Clinic & Grand Portage Health Center 
• Cook County Public Health & Human Services 
• Numerous community health programs 
• Nine local volunteer fire departments, 
• Four EMS units
• Search & Rescue 
• Law Enforcement training programs 
• Emergency Management 
• Emergency Chaplaincy Program 
• Care Partners of Cook County for seniors’ services 
• Cook County Higher Education for health care education 
• Children's mental health and substance misuse programs 
• Cook County MN Restorative Justice and more. 

“We have an opportunity here to support our community, and we are proud to partner with the Health Care Foundation,” said Mike Raymond, Red Pine Realty. “This is something that has never been done before in Cook County and we feel it’s important to come together and build a program that helps do more for the people that live and own property here through this investment in future health.” 

For more information or to become a ‘Listings That Give Back: Foundation Home Program’ partner, contact: The North Shore Health Care Foundation at 218-387-9076 or [email protected]